About Luke
The person behind the legacy
His Story
Luke Smith was so much more than the name behind our foundation. He was a son, brother, teammate, friend, and athlete who left a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to know him.
From a young age, sports were a big part of his life, with lacrosse becoming a true passion. He loved to compete, but the game meant more than competition—it brought friendships, unforgettable experiences, and the feeling of being part of something bigger than himself.
That passion eventually led him to Franklin Pierce University, where he continued his lacrosse career and created even more memories both on and off the field. His love for the game and the people he met along the way are a big part of the legacy we work to carry forward today.
More Than An Athlete
To the people who knew him best, Luke was so much more than an athlete. He was a son, brother, family member, and friend who had a way of making the people around him feel comfortable just by being himself.
He was naturally funny and could make just about anyone laugh. Whether you had known him for years or had just met him, Luke had a way of making people feel like they belonged. He never took himself too seriously, and some of the best memories with him are the simplest ones—laughing, joking around, and just enjoying being together.
That ability to bring people together and make others feel at ease is one of the things we miss most, and one of the many parts of Luke we hope to carry forward through the foundation.
A Life Cut Too Short
In 2020, at just 20 years old, Luke’s life was tragically cut short in a car accident. In an instant, his family and friends lost someone who had brought so much laughter, love, and life into every room he entered. There were plans he never got the chance to make, milestones he never got to reach, and so much life still ahead of him.
Losing Luke left a space that could never be filled. But through the heartbreak, one thing became incredibly important to our family—we never wanted the way Luke died to become the story of who he was.
We wanted people to know the Luke we knew. The brother and son we loved, the friend who could make anyone laugh, the athlete who loved the game, and the person who made others feel welcome simply by being himself.
While we cannot change the years Luke should have had, we can make sure the twenty years he gave us continue to mean something.
And that is where his legacy began.
His Legacy Lives On
In 2021, the Luke R. Smith Foundation was created to ensure that Luke’s story would continue—not only through the memories of those who knew and loved him, but through the opportunities created in his name.
What began as a way for our family to honor Luke has grown into something much bigger. Through scholarships, athlete sponsorships, training opportunities, and partnerships with youth organizations, the foundation is helping young people pursue the sports and activities they love.
For us, every athlete we support represents something incredibly meaningful. It is another opportunity Luke’s name helped create, another young person given the chance to pursue something they are passionate about, and another way his impact continues beyond his twenty years.
We cannot give Luke the opportunities he should have had, but in his honor, we can give them to others.
Every scholorship. Every sponsorship. Every opportunity. His legacy lives on.
